husband constantly throws up food or it gets stuck, especially meat?

[teegee]

My husband, 39 yrs. old has been suffering with having food get stuck or eventually throwing up his entire meal, because he says it gets stuck and he cant swallow.  This has been ongoing for approximately 4 years.  Two years ago he was referred to a gastrologist.  He had a throat scope and they concluded no obstruction, and found a miniscule pollup on his throat, removed it and it was non-cancerous.  He had been a smokeless tobacco user since a teenage.  He since has quit and has stayed quit for about 9 months now.  His doctor , two years ago.  Told him they are just people out there, that dont chew their food enough or chew too fast and that he has to learn to do things to help prevent his problems.  

He has dealt with it returning on and off and recently almost every meal that contains meat , any meat , he has to run to the bathroom and gag and eventually throws up.  It is getting very disturbing for both him and the family.  Something must be done and he seems to never have time to go to the doctor.   we recently talked and he is willing to go,, but curiosity, do you have any suggestions???

There has to be something to help him.   He even lets me baby him and remind him to chew, take his time etc.  And even that doesnt help sometimes.  He works the night shift and has to eat at strange times and his dinner seems like his breakfast , but we are serving meat.  Without changing all of our lives, is there any hope for him?  thanks

[Ct_yankee56]

Hi Teegee,
Have your husband talk to his doctor about the possiblity of it being a esophageal ring also called a Schatski's ring. I have that and had similar symptoms. Bread also gets stuck easily. The treatment was to insert a baloon device down the esophagus and expand or dilate the ring which closes up over time. The proceduer may need to be repeated every several years.  I had a dilation done over 5 years ago and it's still fairly open although I have learned to take smaller bites and chew more completely. I hope this info is helpful.
Take care

[golda]

I have that problem too. I also get horrible spasms in my intestinal tract that radiate up to my esophagus at times.I spent many years ( with the wrong doctors), and many nights in the emergency room until I found the right Gastro guy. He informed me that this is a not-so-uncommon problem, but not so easily diagnosed and cured. Although most peaople with this prblem,(me included), suffer from Refux disease, the problem lies with spasms in the esophagus and stomach...which is a double-whammy.  I have been taking Prevacid for a few years, which controls the acid/reflux problem, but the doctor also prescribed a low-dose of the muscle relaxant "Flexeril", that I take when I have "over indulged" or eat meat. For some reason the meat does not break down properly in the stomach, (probably because of the low-acid content from the Previcid (like I said, a double whammy), or lack of enzymes, or a spastic disorder of the GI system.  Sounds complicated, but after all that I have been through, it is nice to have an answer to a very horrible condition. Believe me, I feel for your husband! Ask your GI Doctor about trying a low-dose regimine of "Flexeril" (10mg). I even split the pill in half sometimes. It takes some getting used to...he might feel like  a wet noodle for the first few times he takes it, but it does take away the spasms that makes him throw-up the food. I only take the Flexeril when I feel I need it, not with every meal..Also, cut back on the red meat. It has REALLY helped me. I wish you and your husband well!

[laurastouch]

my husband is 37 same problem, in a round about way we had his thyroid levels checked they were underactive. they put him on meds to help regulate and the swallowing problem deminished. My husband would jump up and down and bang on his chest then run to the bathroom. sometimes while eating it would just back up into his mouth right there at the table. I understand when you say it is disturbing to the family. Hope this info helps you.

[giggy]

I have a friend that had the same problem as your husband...food getting stuck.  He had to go to the doctor once and even  have food removed that got stuck.  He has a hiatal hernia.  I think that that was his problem. I believe that the doctor put him on reflux medicine.